Like many reviews, this was my first Dead show. I was familiar with the band, as one of my first 'getting stoned to music' events was listening to Europe '72. Got their late, middle of the first set, but by the time of Terrapin I was hooked. Moved to the Bay Area seven years later and my second show was 12/15/86 - what an intro to the Dead!

Okay show, the Terrapin > Playing is very nice

Dear Furthurfried, I'd like to personally go deeper on the topic of your review offline on something encrypted. There's no way to direct message users on here or find their email ;(. Let me know what's the best way to contact you-Thanks

I hope this show gets some attention and the recording can be improved

acceptable audience recording for the time period -- Garcia is up front and easy to follow, which is good because he's on fire during the second set

Drove up from Cincinnati for a great show. Ended up meeting friends from back east that invited me backstage. Had a great time, for a Long Strange Trip...

we listen through the noise. (remember cassette tapes & multi gen copies?)
this recording is FINE. there's scarcely any aud chatter or noise.
so just relax and enjoy a good show. Terrapin does have some tasty treats.

Sound is pretty bad, but listenable if you acclimate yourself. I didn't, though. My feeling is it's pretty good, not great enough to listen into.

Wow. I just found this site and now have chills listening to what was my first Dead show some 37 years ago. I was new to Dead back then and knew almost none of the songs but became a big fan afterwards. One thing I remember -- Masonic Auditorium was a beautiful facility (still is) but it wasn't a big rock and roll venue. The house demanded that people stay seated during the concert. The Dead Heads would dutifully obey for a few minutes but couldn't contain themselves for too long. Finally, one would shout, jump up, and start dancing. Almost immediately, ushers would run and tell them to sit down when another Head would do the same on the other side of the Theater. It was like the ushers were playing Wackamole. God I loved this show.

This was my first Dead show, a friend dragged me along. By halfway through the second set I was hooked.

I agree with another reviewer, this show obviously kicked ass! But, the recording here is poor enough that even I won't listen to it. I would normally never give a Dead show a 1 star (even a crappy Dead show is still light years above anything else), but the recording on this is forcing my hand.

Checking out the Donna-less shows (11-30-73, 12-01-73, 12-02-73, 12-04-73, 12-06-73, 12-08-73, 12-10-73, 12-12-73, 12-18-73, and 12-19-73.
7-17-76 she's there 2nd set
1-20-79, 1-21-79)
I love to hear the guys covering her parts e.g. Jerry on Estimated.

i think the reason donna jean isnt there is because females arent used in masonic rituals...like the ones held today in the bohemian grove with mickey hart and bob weir in attendance bunkin with bush senoir....do some research people...the grateful dead were part of something way bigger and darker than all the porch masons or masons children are led to beleive...dont get me wrong i love the deads music...but look up the definition of free masonry and make your own conclusions and listen to all the songs with a grain of salt because there is alot to learn from the dead...once in a while you get shown the light in the strangest of places if you look at it right....LOOK AT IT RIGHT

I like this show.Nothing really stands out in terms of performance I think I just dig the idea of the Dead playing COLD Detroit in mid January. Plus Masonic Hall is a VERY odd place for a Dead show. And one more thing- no Donna where did she go? I will give it 4 stars just for the heck of it.

The show opened an hour late, not usual for the Dead. 1st set performed and everyone was saying "where's Donna"? At the first break, Donna came out on stage and walked up to the microphone (turned off at the time). She tried a couple of other mics (also off)... A TOTAL HUSH fell over the auditorium, and she walked to the edge of the stage and said "quiet everybody, quiet please) as if she wanted to speak. I heard it clearly from the very back of the auditorium. Of course everybody started laughing at the thought that she'd talk over a whole crowd of Dead Heads with no microphone. Unseen by her, a BIG roadie snuck up from behind her and dragged her off the stage, kicking all the way. No Donna second set either, and Keith didn't look too happy either. Never found out what's up with that... and will never forget it either...

Well, we've come to the end of the NE Winter '79 run. Last show of an up and down run. Shows/snippets that are Must listens include: 2nd set of 1/5, and 1/10, "He's Gone" on through 1/11, "Dancin" through "NFA" on 1/12, "Estimated" through "Around" on 1/14, the jammier sections of the 1/17 2nd Set, and the 30 minutes of bliss on 1/20...
1st Set: "Sugaree" - Passionately sung by Jerry."Uncle-> River"'s some good ol' fun. "TLEO" is standard. "BIODTL" & "Dire" increase the vibe that this gig's taking place in a snug, intimate venue. Everyone just feels close to each other. "LLR" is fine, but the spirit of "Brown" feels especially genuine this evening. "Minglewood" is pushing the overplayed label but this version is better than the previous few nights. "FOTD" is appropriately sadly withdrawn. "Jack" is decent if not thunderous. "Deal" closes this better than average winter '79 1st set with assured flair.
2nd Set: Their first 'Samson' smokes right on by... "Terrapin" continues on a strong determined path despite lacking an outro jam. Thankfully, "Playin" has a head of steam, confidently chugs its way through the written song. A tight, exploratory jam that refreshingly ends with droplets emerging from the drummers' faucet. "Space" could have ended either way... go the 11/1 route with "OO" or "Truckin". They choose the 'T' and despite some early sound distortions, it's standard. They're in-sync, but seem to lack a certain extroverted powerful element. There's not much fight remaining which is why "Stella" is an appropriate choice. A gorgeous outro jam by Garcia leads into a reassuring but still slightly tired "Good Lovin." The run closes unremarkably with "US Blues."
(2nd Detroit show in a row with an abbreviated 2nd set, 3 plus 3, with US encore.)

This is an excellent show. I dig the sound quality and there is a nice vibe to the entire recording. The Playin' is awesome!!

This show obviously rocked! Seems very upbeat. Too bad this recording is so bad...however some of you die hard Aud enthusiasts might like it.
Maybe there is a better recording out there somewhere...